Liquid purification



Aug. 21, 1945.

l. R. FEINAUER ET Al.

LIQUID PURIFICATION Filed Aug. 20, 19,45'

INVENTORS TTOR EY is renewed. i

'high levels, so that PatentedAug. 21, 1945 2,383,302 i LIQUID PURIFICATION Lyman R. Feinauer and Rolandi S. Payne, Salt Lake City, Company, tion of Delaware Inc., Brid Utah, assignors to Remington Arms geport, Conn.,` a corporai Application August 20, 1943, Serial No. 499,308 12 claims. (ci. 2107-43) The present invention relates to `an improvement in liquid purification, and particularly a filter apparatus for the removal from liquids of solid` material ycarried in suspension therein. While the invention isY adaptable for various ltering uses it `is especially advantageous in the filtering of wash water containing primer or other explosive mixtures employed in the manufacture of ammunition. Primer mixture is such thatin its dry state it is highly'explosive, and consequently, the mixture and the hazardous area where it` ishandled in the manufacture of arnmunitionare maintained in a Wet state. The

` wash water resulting from` this procedure contains a considerable percentage of the primer or otherexplosive material, which being insoluble remains in `suspension in the water, and if this water isvallowed to escape it may subsequently result in the' dangerous condition that the explosive mixture may be precipitated `in remote i places where `it will dry out and thereupon be capable of exploding. It is therefore highly desirable that the'hazardous explosive material in the wash water be completely removed before the water is allowed to escape. i

An object of the invention is to provide a lter apparatus into which the wash water ows, and wherein itis subject to `a series of ltering` and battling stages designed to eifectually reduce agitation to the minimum and to subject the water to rapid and complete filtering, irrespective ofthe gradual accuniulationof the solid material inthe filter me'dium. p

It isiproposed according to the invention to provide' a series of filter compartments each havin the vicinity of the filteringY medium is reduced to a minimum, thereby allowing for the effective settling of the solid material and its retention ori the filtering medium.

With'the above and other objects in view an embodiment of the invention is shown in lthe accompanying drawing,` and this embodiment will` be hereinafter more fully described with reference thereto, andV the invention will be nally pointed out in the claims.` f

`In the drawing#- i Fig; l-is a side elevation, partially broken away, of a filter apparatus, according tothe illustrated exemplary embodiment of the invention. Fig. V2 is a plan view thereof. i

Fig.` 3 is a vertical sectional view, taken along the line 3 3 of Fig. 2, and showing in dot-anddash lines the levels of the wash water at the point where filtering has progressed through the several compartments and the filtering medium in the several compartments has reached the stage f of complete clogging.

ing a'ltering medium in relation thereto through which Vthe water drains by gravity, these compartments being in successive communication with each other through the rising of the Wash watertherein to predetermined points, such rising4 being controlled through the lation ofthe solid material in the iiltering medium. Consequently, as the filtering medium in one compartment becomes clogged to the point thatthe water will not drain therethrough, the water then flows `to the nextrcompartment where the process isrepeated, and finally as the filtering medium inthe last compartment becomes `clogged the `apparatus is cleaned and the filtering medium It is further proposed to provide a communication` and baffling or Weir structure between the compartments whereby theflow between the sucf cessive compartments takes place at relatively agitation of the wash water gradual accumuv tainer AIl) provided at one side Similar reference characters indicate correthe drawing.`

Referring to the drawing, theilter apparatus, according to the illustrated exemplary `embodiment of the invention, is a weir type sump and comprises a relatively deep ,cylindrical metal conwith a relatively wide spout Il p through Which the Water to be filtered is introduced, the upper edge of the spout i sponding parts throughout theseveral figures of beingin the plane ofthe upper edge ofthe coni tainer and its lower surface being inclined downwardly and inwardly from the upper edge to a point substantially spaced from the ioor or base of the container. Suitable hand grips l2 are provided "at: spaced points about the upper edge of the container for convenience 4in handling. Centrally oftheoor of the container there is provided `al circular opening having an upstandingr cylindrical wall I3` secured therein, theupper end of this wall terminating in a plane substantially below the upper edge of the container.

. A sieve1`|4 of 4*relatively ne woven wire is secured within the lower end of the passage through the vIn concentric relation about the cylindrical wall i3 the floor of the containeris provided with a plurality of `circular series of spaced drainage holes I5,Rthe`se being provided in predetermined concentric` circles so thateach` seresis disposed within the base of one of the lter compartments of .thecontaineig determined .by the removable baille or Weir member, presently to be more fully an outer cylindrical baille drum I8, disposed inl concentric inwardly spaced relation to the cylindrical wall of the container, and of a height less than the -height of the wall of the container, this drum being provided ata'substantial distance from its lower edge, and preferably in a plane relatively closer to its upper'edge than its lower edge, with a series of spaced ports I9. In inwardly spaced concentric relation to the drum I8 there is provided an intermedia-te cylindrical baille drum 20, preferably inwardly spaced from' the Youter drum I8 a distance substantially oorresponding to the distance of the outer drum inwardly from the cylindrical `wall of the container, the lower edge of the drum 20,being in the same plane with the lower edge of the drum I8 while its upper edge is in a plane spaced below the upper edge of the drum I8 and substan- *le'cted upon the filter.

-tinued settling of any particles of solid material solid material completely clogs the filter element so that no more water can pass therethrough. i

As the water in the compartment A rises to the level of the ports I9 it ilows into the compartment B between the drums I8 and 20, the height of .the ports I9 lbeing sufficiently great so that there is a minimumv of agitation of the water inv the lower portion of the container in the area contiguous to the solid material col- This allows for a conremaining in the quiescent water in the compartment A below the ports I9. The water ilowing into the compartment B is filtered by the 'l annular portion of the filter element I6 in the tially above the plane ofthe ports I9. An inner baille drum 2i is provided in inwardly spaced concentric relation to the intermediate drum 20, its lower edge being in the plane of the lower edges of the drums and I8 and its upper edge being spaced below the plane of the upper edge `of the drum 20 and above the plane of the upper edge of the cylindrical wall I3. The concentric spacing ofthe inner drum 2l from the drum 20 is substantially less than the spacing of the drum 20 from'the drum I8 and preferably the outward spacing of the drum 2| from the cylindrical wall I3v is substantially equal to the spacing of the intermediate drum 20 from the outer drum I8. At a substantial distance from the lower edge of the drum 20, preferably'in a plane substantially midway between the lower edge of the vdrum and the plane of the ports I9, there is provided a series of ports 22. lThe several drums I8, 20 and 2l` are rigidly secured together` by, means of lsuitably placed brace bars 23, welded or otherwise suitably connected to the drum.

Iny the assembled relation of the baille member within the container the outer circular series of holes I5 is disposed in the base of thecompartment between the outer drum I8 and the wall of the container, while the other circular series of holes are in the bases of the respective compartments provided by the bafflev member,k the inner circular series of holes I5 beingin the base of the compartment formed by the inner drum 2i and the circular wall I`3. l

In the operation ofthe filter apparatus the wash water, containing primeror other explosive solid materials in` suspension, isflowed into the container at its spout` portion I Iv and during the initial ltering operation is confined to the outer iilter oompartmentA, the ltering taking place by gravity drainagethrough the annular portion of the filter element I6 within the base ,of this compartment, and upon which the solid material collects, the filtered water flowing through the drain holes lI5 to a suitabledisposal conduit or drain. As thegsolid material builds up in the base of the compartment A the drainage through the filter is gradually reduced, causing a proportionate rise of the water in the compartment, A. the rate `of risev reaching its maximum whenthe base of this compartment, draining through the annular series of .holes I5 therein. The water gradually risesl in the compartment B to the plane of the ports I9, where it meets the level of the water in the compartment A, and thereupon the continued flow of water into the container gradually risesvin bothcompartlnents A and B until it reaches the `upper edge ofthe baiiie drum 20. lDuring this flow-ofthe water from the compartment A to the compartment B the water in the compartment B below the ports I9- remains in a relatively quiescent state, so that any solid particles remaining therein may settle upon the lter element without appreciable agitation. Y As drainage through the base of the compartment B is gradually reduced, and finally ceases through clogging of the filter element, the water flows overthe upper edge of the baille drum 20 into the compartment C between the, drumsV 20 and ZI, the relatively greater height of the drum I8v preventing back-flow between the compartments, The water collecting inthe compartment C is filteredthrough the annular portion of the filter element in its base and drains through the holes I5, gradually rising as the filter element becomes clogged to the level of the ports A22 in the baffle drum' 2l, whereupon itV starts to ow into the compartment D between the drum 2| and the cylindrical wall I3.

. Because of the relatively shorter'distance from the base of the container of the ports 22 than the ports I9, and in order to reduce agitation to a minimum the compartment C is made substantially narrower than the compartment D so that there is a relativelyrapid flow of the water into the compartment C and a relatively slow rise of the water in the compartment D. As the edge of the drum 2U, through the upper portion of thecompartment C,` and .throughl the ports 22 ofthe drum 2|, this relativelylong passage of the water through the several compartments and around the C and D, permitting a continued settling of the solid material in the several compartments andL a relatively increased time for filtering ofthe water, flowing into rrelation withl the filter ele,

baffles, together with4 the relatively slow rise of the water in the compartments in the compartment D approaches the upper edge of the overflow cylindrical wall I3. At this point the ltering `operation is discontinued to permit cleaning and renewalof the clogged iilter element, the water `remaining in the container being rst removed and added to the wash water to be filteredto thusprevent the possibility `of any solid material remaining therein reaching the disposal drain. ShouldV the water in the compartment D overflow the cylindrical wall I3 it will be further liltered by passing `through the 'wire gauze filter element I4. I

The form of `the invention illustrated in the drawingand described herein is `typical and illustrative only, and it is evident that the invention is capable of embodiments in otheriorms, allwfalling within the scope of the appended claims, which are to be broadly construed.

What isclaimed is: l l l 1. In afilteringapparatus, a' liquid container having a plurality of successively arranged liquid-A receiving walled compartments, one of which constitutes an initial ltering `compartment in which the liquid to be iiltered is initially iiowed, and4 each of said compartments having a liquid drainage base, `1iltering means in relation to the basesv of said compartments adapted to filter solid material from liquidpassing therethrough, and an imperviousballie` wall separating said compartments having overflow means at a subwhereby the liquid rises in said initialr compart- -ment and overflows into the adjacent compartment as ltered solid material collecting in the iilter means of said initial compartment the drainage of liquid therethrough.;`

4. In a filtering apparatus, a liquid container arrests having a plurality` of successively arranged. liquid-receiving walled compartments, one of which constitutesV an initial filtering compartment in which the liquid to be iiltered is initially iiowed, and each-of said` compartments having a liquid drainage base, ltering means-in relation to the bases of said` compartments adapted to `iilter solidmaterial fromliquid passing therethrough, and a baille wall separating said compartments v having overflow ports at a `substantialdistance above the bases of `said compartments and substantially below its upper edge, whereby the liquid rises in said initial compartment and overiiowsinto the adjacent compartmentas ltered solid material collecting inthe filter means of saidinitial compartment arrests Vthe drainage of liquid therethrough, the wall of; said initial compartment opposed to said Ibaiile wall'being higher than said balile wall and the wall of said adjacent compartment opposed to said baflie wall being lower than said bailie wall and higher? than said overiiow ports. l f "i 5. Ina filtering apparatus, a liquid container having a circumferential side wall, `a base Yhav ing a'central passage, and `an upstanding overl iiowwall centrally of said base surrounding said stantial distance above the` :bases of said compartments whereby theliquid rises in said initial compartment andfoverflows into the ad- `jacent compartment as` ltered solid material collecting in the lter means of said initial compartment arrests :the drainage of l liquid therethrough. 4

2. In a filtering apparatusa liquid `container having aplurality of successively arranged liquid-receiving walled compartments, one of which v constitutes 'an initial iiltering compartment in which the liquid 'to be filtered is initially flowed, each of said compartments having a liquid drainage base, a removable `filtering element covering the bases of said compartments -adaptedfto filter solid material fromliquid passing therethrough, and a removable impervious baille wall separating said compartments having overflow means at a substantial distance above the 'bases of said compartments whereby the liquid rises in said initial compartment and' overflows into the adjacent compartment as ltered solid material collecting in the lter element in said initial compartment arrests the drainage of liquid therethrough.

3.` In altering apparatus, a liquid container having a plurality of successively arranged liquid receiving walled compartments, vone of which constitutes an initial iiltering compartment in which the liquid to be `filtered is initially liowed, and each of said compartments having a liquid drainage base, ltering means in relation to the bases of said compartments adapted `to iilter solid material from liquid passing therethrough, andan impervious balilewall separating said compartments having overflow ports at a substantial distance above the-bases ofsaid compartments and substantially below its upper edge central passage, a ballieelement engaged insaid `container comprising imperviouswalls dividing it into a plurality ofsuccessively arranged an-` nular liquid receiving compartmentsythe outer one of whichconstitutes an initial ltering compartment inwhich the liquid to be filtered is `initially flowed, said base having drainage holes Ytherethrough.

`6.In a liltering apparatus, a liquid container having a circumferential side wall, a base having acentral passage, and an upstanding overflow wall centrally of said base surrounding said central passage, filter meansextending across said central passage, a baille element engaged in said container comprising impervious walls `dividing it into a pluralityl of successively arranged annular liquid receiving compartments, the outer one of which constitutes an initial filtering compartment in which the liquid to be filtered is K initially flowed, said basehaving drainage holes for each of said compartments, liltering means in relation to the bases of said compartments adapted "to filter solid material from `liquid passing therethrough, theouter wall offsaid baffle element having overflow means at asubstantial distance above said base whereby the liquid` rises in said initial compartment and overflows in-to the adjacent compartment as ltered solid material collecting in the filter means in said initial compartment arrests therethrough.

7. In a iiltering apparatus, a liquid container having a circumferential side wall, a base, and

the drainage of liquid for each, of said compartments, filtering means l wall Isaid baffle `elel an upstanding overflow wall centrally of vsaid base surrounding a central passage therethrough,

va removable baffle elementengaged in saidcone tainer and dividing it'into: a plurality of lsuccessively arranged annular liquid receiving com` partment as filtered solid material collecting in` the filter ele-ment in `saidinitial compartment arrests the drainage of liquid therethrough.'

8,-In a filtering apparatus, a liquid container having a circumferential side wall, a base, and an upstanding overflow wall centrally of said base surrounding a central passage therethrough, va circumferential bafiie wall in linwardly spaced relation to said side wall of less height than said side wall and having overflow ports in a plane intermediate its upper and lower edges, al second :baiiie wall inwardly spaced from '.said rst baflie wall having its upper edge below' the plane of the upper edge of said first baffle wall and above the plane of said overflow'portsfa third baifle wall intermediate said second baffle wall and said overflow wall having its upper edge be low the plane of the upperedge of saidsecond baffle wall and above the piane of saidoveriiow wall and having overflow ports ina plane `intermediate its upper and lower edgesand below the plane of the upper edge of said overflow wall,

,said baffle walls dividing said container into a series of annular compartments, said base hav-v ing drainage holes for each of said compartments, and filtering means in relation to the bases yof said compartments` adapted to filter solid material from liquid passing therethrough.-

i 9. In a filtering apparatuaa liquidcontainer having a circumferential side wall, a'base, and an upstaniding overflow wall centrally'- of said base surrounding a central passage therethrough, a circumferential baie wall in inwardly spaced relation to said side wall ofr less heightthan said intermediate its upper and lower edges, a second `baffle wall inwardlyspaced from said first baiiie wall having itsupper edge below the plane of the upper edgeof said first baflle wall and above the plane of said overiiow ports, a third baflie wall Y 1 intermediate said second baflie wall and said overflow wall having its upper edge `below the `plane tially less in Width than the widths of the other annular compartments, said-base having drainage `holesI fori each ofsaid compartments, and filter-l ingimeans in relationto the bases of said compartments adapted to filter Asolid material from liquid passing therethrough. l Y y 10. 1 In a filtering apparatus, a liquid container having a circumferential side wall, and a base, a removable baiie element engaged in said con'- tainer and dividing it into a plurality of successively arranged annular liquid receiving compartments, and comprising an outer circumferential baile wall, an inner circumferential baflie wall,`

an intermediate circumferential baille wall, and connection means therebetweenrigidly connecting said baflie Walls together, said outer and inner baflie walls each having overiiow ports between their upper and lower edges and below the plane `of the upper edge ,of said intennediate baiiie wall, said base having drainage holes'for each of sai-d compartments, and a lteringlelement. engaging said base adapted to lter solid material from liquid passing therethrough.

s ll. In a filtering apparatus, a liquid container v having a circumferential side wall, a base, and

an upstanding overflow wall centrally of said base of substantially less height thangsaid side wall surrounding a central passage therethrough, a removable baule element engaged in said container and dividing it into a plurality of success sively arranged annular liquidreceivingcompartnichts, and comprising an `cuter circumferential baie wall, an inner circumferential bailie wall,

an intermediate circumferential baille wall, and

side wall and havingoverflow ports in a` plane` connection means therebetween rigidly connecting said baiiie walls together, said outer and inner baffle walls each having overflow ports between their upper and lower edges and below the plane of the upper edge of said intermediate baiiie wall, said outer, intermediate, and inner baiile'walls being of successively less height and c ach having their upper edges in planes ,intermediate the planes of the upper edges vof said side wall and overflow Wall, said base having drainage holes for each of said compartments, and a filtering element engaging said base adapted to filter solid material from liquid passing therethrough. 12. In a filtering apparatus for filtering Wash water containingexplosive solid material in suspension therein, a baie element engaged .in said container comprising impervious walls dividing it into a plurality of successively arranged an,- nular liquid `receiving compartments, the outer one cf which constitutes an initial filtering' compartment in which the liquid to be filtered is initially flowed, said base having drainage holes for each of said compartments, filtering means in relation to the bases of said compartments adapted to filter solid material from liquid passing therethrough, the outer wall. of said baifie element having overflow means at a substantial distance above sai-d base whereby the liquid rises in said initial compartment and overflows into the adjacent compartment as ltered` solid material collecting in the lter lmeans in said initial compartment arrests the drainage of rliquid therethrough. i K

' LYMAN R. FEINAUER.

ROLAND S.y PAYNE. 

